88 Street Food RVA

First time really looking for a Banh mi and it was not good. The bread was fine but pretty dry. I ordered the teriyaki chicken Banh mi and the filling was really lacking flavor and substance. The bread did all the talking here but again the bread was dry and the filling was mostly cut up vegetables. I was expecting a bit more flavor and a bit more chicken in the sandwich. I also ordered a side of vegetable crispy rolls those were also flavorless. The dip it came with was a light pink and odd tasting dip. Not tangy but mostly sweet with an odd aftertaste. Just not a great first experience. Will not be making back for a 2nd try. I feel like the bani mi for what I got was over priced. But was excited to try something authentic.

Overall, this was a visit with excellent personal service but significant issues regarding food and beverage quality, preparation, and cleanliness. ​The server was apologetic and demonstrated very good customer service presence throughout the meal. To be fair, the server mentioned they were extremely busy today. However, the logistical and kitchen issues ultimately detracted significantly from the experience. ​Food & Drink Quality and Accuracy: ​All dishes looked great in presentation but were ultimately lacking in flavor—nothing was mind-blowing. ​S6 Dynamite Shrimp: Good flavor, but it was excessively salty and difficult to finish. ​S2 Beef Bulgogi Bun Bun Special: The dish arrived cold. (Unsure if this is the standard serving temperature.) ​S1 House Chicken Wings (Intended Spicy Korean): I received the Garlic flavor instead of Spicy Korean. The flavor was only okay. The requested accompanying sauce was cold and did not contain the spice level the server claimed it would. ​B2 Teriyaki Chicken with Rice: The chicken tasted overcooked and dry. The rice was bland. The necessary fish sauce had to be requested, and it was oily, which unfortunately ruined the dish. ​Strawberry Lemonade Boba: I was disappointed by the excessive amount of ice. The boba itself was slimy and lacked the proper chewy consistency. The addition of strawberry pulp made the drink challenging and unenjoyable to consume. ​Environment & Ambience: ​While the exterior looked promising, the interior cleanliness was lacking. We noticed unclean tables and food on the floor. Although the server cited being busy, these foundational cleanliness issues were noticeable. The owner/server did eventually clean our table.

Food was great, especially the Bahn Mi. But what made me write my once a yearly review was the service. The man who took our order (presumably the owner) was SO sweet, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect for us throughout the meal. If you’re in RVA, this place is definitely a must eat at.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms. The staff was friendly and communicative — we were told there would be a short wait, and sure enough, our food was ready in about 8 minutes. Everything was fresh, hot, and absolutely delicious — hands down some of the best food I’ve had in a long time! The team even checked on us a few times while we were there, which really made the experience feel personal and appreciated. Highly recommend — can’t wait to come back!

The owners were very nice and welcoming 🙏 they had games like uno which was fun and the food came out quickly. We each picked an appetizer and entree and paid less than we would at other places but we wanted to try a lot. All the food was surprisingly refreshing considering it was fried and noodle/rice based. I definitely want to come back!!!

Food 10/10 - ordered the spring rolls and tofu Bahn mi with extra tofu & I’d definitely order again. The bread wasn’t too soft or hard, practically perfect. The crispy veggie rolls were also really good. Next time I’m making my way through VA I’d definitely stop to try their bowls! Highly recommend.

This place is a hidden gem. The food was great (popcorn chicken bowl, beef bulgogi bowl, and dynamite shrimp) but the service really made it special. The owners were so nice and considerate, I felt personally taken care of, he even brought the food out to our table though this is definitely more a counter service kind of place. It was also quiet for a Saturday at lunch time, so no wait and not crowded.

I would never want to take down a small business - especially since it's the kind of food I would love to see more of in Richmond. I am posting in the hope that they can make positive change. I got the bulgoki bowl, and while the flavor was good, the quality of the meat was not. Throughout the meal, I can across hard chunks of fat and gristle in the meat that I could not chew. I had to keep spitting them out. It make a pile. I would love for them to choose a better cut of meat. Especially since the bowls are already small, not filled to the top, and contain mostly rice - for $16. I can get bigger, healthier bowls with more meat at Cava or Roots. I would love balance in the bowl for more veggies too - people love grain bowls because they are supposed to feature all the food groups. The pickled carrots and daikon were not really pickled, the lettuce was only a paper thin layer, and I just had a few threads of bean sprouts and edamame. I don't want to feel like they are cutting corners on customers to save money.